China acquired capacity to build 50 nuclear power reactors simultaneously: Official report

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April 25, 2026

BEIJING, Apr 24: China can build up to 50 nuclear reactors simultaneously, the country’s atomic authority has said as Beijing gears up to rapidly expand the nuclear power sector to reduce dependence on fossil fuels amid the US-Iran war.

China has the ability to run dozens of nuclear projects concurrently spanning the full project life cycle – from design to construction – according to a latest report released this week by the country’s Nuclear Energy Association.

“China’s nuclear technology capabilities have moved from ‘following’ to ‘keeping pace’, and in some areas to ‘leading’,” the report said.

China’s total installed nuclear power capacity has reached 125 million kilowatts (KW), ranking first globally, state-run CCTV said, quoting the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) report.

China currently operates 60 commercial nuclear reactors, with 36 under construction – representing over half of global nuclear construction, according to the report.

Another 16 units have been approved and await construction, according to the report.

By 2040, China is projected to have 200 GW of installed capacity, Yang Changli, rotating chairman of the CNEA, told domestic media outlet chinanews.com.cn.

Beijing has moved to rapidly build up its nuclear power sector in recent years as part of a wider effort to cut carbon emissions and reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, which gained urgency following the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.

China aims to become a “strong country” in nuclear power by 2030, surpassing the United States in terms of total installed nuclear capacity and emerging as the world’s largest nuclear power producer by scale, according to the CNEA.

Wang Shoujun, head of the Chinese Nuclear Society, said China’s nuclear industry has entered a fast track of high-quality development in recent years, with enhanced capabilities in nuclear technology innovation, including third- and fourth-generation nuclear power technologies, small modular reactors, and advanced nuclear fuel cycles, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. (PTI)

Shivakumar meets Rajnath, raises alarm over defence limits slowing city growth

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April 25, 2026

BENGALURU, April 24: Is Bengaluru’s rapid urban growth being choked by defence regulations Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Friday flagged the issue at the highest level, seeking urgent intervention from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over stringent height restrictions around key airbases in the city.
Raising the matter during a meeting in New Delhi, Shivakumar said the existing norms governing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for construction near defence airports- particularly HAL and Yelahanka-are placing large swathes of Bengaluru under severe height limitations, impacting both real estate development and long-term urban planning.
He noted that the current interpretation of rules is constraining growth in core parts of the city, at a time when Bengaluru continues to expand as a global technology hub. The restrictions, he said, are also affecting mobility planning and infrastructure projects critical to the city’s future.
Framing the issue as a balance between national security and economic growth, Shivakumar urged the Centre to revisit the norms and adopt a more calibrated approach that safeguards aviation safety without stalling development.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that Bengaluru’s growth trajectory requires flexible and forward-looking policy support, warning that prolonged constraints could have broader implications for investment and urban expansion.
The meeting assumes significance amid increasing concerns from developers and planners over regulatory bottlenecks, with the state government now pushing for a solution that aligns defence priorities with the city’s evolving needs.
(UNI)

TCS case: Male employee ‘forced to wear skull cap, perform Namaz’, says fresh remand plea

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April 25, 2026

NASHIK (Maharashtra), Apr 24 : Four accused arrested in the sexual harassment and forcible conversion case at the TCS unit here allegedly forced a 35-year-old male colleague to wear a Muslim religious cap and perform Namaz, police told a court on Friday while seeking their custody.

The magistrate’s court remanded Tausif Attar (36), Danish Sheikh (32), Shahrukh Qureshi (34) and Raza Rafiq Memon (35) in fresh police custody till April 29 in the case.

The accused, who were in judicial custody, were arrested afresh by police on April 23 and produced before the court on Friday in the case registered at Mumbainaka police station on the basis of a complaint filed by the male colleague who works as a senior analyst.

Sheikh and the other three accused were booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for outraging religious feelings and criminal intimidation.

During the hearing, prosecutors Kiran Bendbhar and Aniket Avhad sought their custody for ten days, citing seriousness of the matter.

As per the complainant, the accused used to target his religious beliefs and make derogatory comments about Hindu deities. On one occasion they forced him to wear a Muslim skull cap and perform Namaz, and its video was shared on a WhatsApp group of employees, the complaint stated.

The complainant was also forced to consume non-vegetarian food as part of a conversion attempt, the police told the court.

Further, the accused allegedly made obscene remarks about Hindu women, the complainant’s wife and the couple’s inability to have children, the remand application said.

They used their positions to force the complainant to do their work and sent fabricated performance reports to the head office, the police said.

During an altercation, two of the accused once allegedly threw an office table fan at the complainant and issued death threats to him, police said.

Their custodial interrogation was required to collect evidence, find accomplices and verify claims of the complainant being given “black magic advice”, said the prosecution.

A Special Investigation Team of police is probing a total of nine cases of alleged sexual exploitation or harassment, attempts of forcible conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation, and mental harassment at the software giant’s Nashik BPO unit.

Eight employees, including a woman HR manager, have been arrested so far.

TCS stated after the allegations surfaced that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion in any form, and the accused employees were promptly suspended. But the company also said that a preliminary review of systems and records indicated that no complaints of sexual harassment or religious coercion had been received from the Nashik unit through its official POSH or ethics channels. (PTI)

Sub-Junior Shooting Ball C’ship concludes

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April 25, 2026

Winners posing along with dignitaries during prize distribution ceremony.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: The 1st J&K UT Sub-Junior Shooting Ball Championship 2026 concluded at International Delhi Public School Jammu, witnessing participation of around 150 young athletes from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The championship was organised by the Shooting Ball Association of Jammu & Kashmir, affiliated with the Shooting Ball Federation of India, with the aim of promoting the sport at the grassroots level in the Union Territory.
Namneet Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurated the event as chief guest and encouraged participants for their dedication and sportsmanship.
The valedictory function was presided over by Suminder Singh, Managing Director of IDPS Jammu and President of Shooting Ball J&K. Guests of honour included Sankalp Kamal and Dr KC S Mehta, while Randeep Wazir and Madhu Abrol attended as special guests.
In the girls’ category, IDPS Jammu secured first place, followed by DBN Mubarak Mandi in second position and IDPS Akhnoor in third. In the boys’ category, KB Public School clinched first place, while IDPS Akhnoor secured both second and third positions.
The championship marked a historic milestone as the first-ever sub-junior shooting ball event in Jammu and Kashmir, providing a valuable platform for budding athletes. Organisers thanked all participants and officials for making the event a success.

India, New Zealand to sign free trade agreement on April 27

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April 25, 2026

NEW DELHI, Apr 24 : India and New Zealand will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) on April 27 here, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Friday.

The pact aims to provide tariff-free access to the island nation’s market for domestic exporters’ goods and will bring in USD 20 billion in investment over the next 15 years.

“We’ll sign our Free Trade Agreement with India on Monday,” Luxon said in a social media post.

The two countries announced on December 22 last year the conclusion of negotiations for the trade deal, which aims at doubling bilateral trade to USD 5 billion in the next five years.

While India will get zero-duty market access on 100 per cent of its exports, the agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India, including items ranging from wool, coal, wood, wine, avocados and blueberries.

However, New Delhi has made no duty concessions on imports of dairy products like milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, and cheese; onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber to protect farmers and the domestic industry.

Bilateral merchandise trade stood at USD 1.3 billion in 2024-25. The total trade in goods and services reached about USD 2.4 billion in 2024, with services trade alone reaching USD 1.24 billion, led by travel, IT, and business services. (PTI)

Suhani Koul named best NCC Cadet 2025

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April 25, 2026

Cadet Suhani Koul posing along with College Management.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: Cadet Suhani Koul of GGM Science College and 8 J&K Girls Battalion NCC has been conferred the prestigious Best Cadet Award 2025 by the Cadets Welfare Society under NCC Group Headquarters, Jammu.
She was recognised for her exceptional discipline, leadership qualities and consistent performance in various NCC training camps, including CATC J-22, EBSB Jammu, CATC S-17, ATC J-14, CATC J-11 and CATC J-1. Her active participation and dedication throughout her NCC journey distinguished her among her peers.
The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 4,500, was presented during a formal ceremony held at NCC Group Headquarters, Jammu.
Principal Prof. (Dr.) Romesh Kumar Gupta lauded the cadet for bringing laurels to the institution, stating that her achievement reflects the college’s commitment to nurturing disciplined and responsible youth. ANO Dr Shafia Saleem also appreciated her dedication and said her success would inspire other students to join NCC and serve the nation.

Pak Deputy PM and Iranian Foreign Minister exchange views on US-Iran ceasefire

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April 25, 2026

ISLAMABAD, Apr 24: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday and exchanged views on regional developments and the US-Iran ceasefire, raising hopes for the second round of peace talks.

Dar, who is also Foreign Minister, received a call from Araghchi, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“Both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement,” it said without elaborating.

Dar underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues to advance regional peace and stability at the earliest, it said.

Araghchi appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and constructive facilitation role in this regard, and both leaders agreed to remain in close contact, it added.

Iranian media reported that Araghchi also spoke with Pakistan’s Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

In recent days, Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic engagements to bring America and Iran to the negotiating table for the second round of talks.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani capital continues to remain closed for heavy traffic on Friday as authorities await the possible visit of top leaders of the US and Iran for peace talks, stalled due to differences on key issues.

The administrations of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had closed all major roads and markets in VVIP movement areas on Sunday amid indications that the talks could begin any day during the week. More than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order.

With uncertainty persisting, district administrations are yet to decide on reopening areas around the Nur Khan Airbase and resuming Metro Bus, electric bus services and goods transportation.

Streets, link roads, markets and banks around the old airport have remained closed during the last five consecutive days, confining residents of Shah Faisal Colony, Khalid Colony, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Fazal Town, among other areas, to their homes.

The Metro Bus Service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and electric buses on seven routes have been suspended, while goods transport has remained halted since April 19, causing inconvenience to the public.

The Red Zone continues to remain closed, with employees of offices in the area working from home.

Movement of heavy traffic has been partly allowed in some parts of Rawalpindi, but Islamabad remains off-limits for trucks and buses. Though schools and colleges are not shut, universities have switched to virtual classes.

There is still no official word on the start of the talks, even as Pakistani authorities continue diplomatic efforts and remain hopeful of bringing the two sides to the negotiating table.

Strict monitoring of roads leading to Islamabad indicates that preparations for the proposed talks are still underway.

The first round of US-Iran talks held on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by host Pakistan to cool tensions and revive hopes for another round of dialogue.

On Wednesday, The New York Post quoted US President Donald Trump as saying that the second round of the US-Iran talks could take place as early as Friday.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran has not yet decided whether to attend a new round of Pakistani-mediated talks in Islamabad.

On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, just hours before the truce was set to expire.

The Iran war began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes. (PTI)

Dhami’s Mahabharata referrence to slam opposition’s ‘celebration’ over failure of women’s quota Bill

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April 25, 2026

DEHRADUN, Apr 24: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday likened the “celebrations” by opposition parties following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in Lok Sabha to scenes from the Mahabharata, saying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was acting like Duryodhana.

Addressing a ‘Mahila Janakrosh Padyatra’ organised by the state BJP from Parade Ground to Clock Tower here, Dhami said opposition parties celebrated as if they had won a war after the Bill failed to pass due to numerical strength. The march was held to register protest against the opposition, which the BJP alleges “blocked” the Bill.

“This scene (in Lok Sabha) reminded us of the Mahabharata, in which the Kauravas were laughing loudly after insulting a woman. By snatching the rights of our ‘nari shakti’, the Congress ‘yuvraj’ (Rahul Gandhi) was celebrating like an intoxicated Duryodhana,” the chief minister said.

Dhami compared Samajwadi Party’s “netaji” (Akhilesh Yadav) to Dushasana, accusing him of insulting women while claiming victory. He alleged that the INDIA bloc blocked a “historic decision” to protect their political interests.

The chief minister claimed that these parties fear their “shops of nepotism and dynastic politics” will shut down if women from ordinary households participate in the decision-making process. He termed the opposition a “dynastic syndicate” that conspired to crush women’s rights.

Dhami noted that despite ruling for six decades after Independence, the Congress never gave women their due rights. He noted that cabinets under Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi had only one woman minister.

The chief minister asserted that Congress only appointed Indira Gandhi as prime minister because she was Nehru’s daughter. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed six women ministers in his first term and currently has seven in his cabinet.

Taking a swipe at Priyanka Gandhi, Dhami referenced her “Main ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon” slogan. He stated that she betrayed the country’s daughters when the actual opportunity to fight for them arose.

Dhami highlighted central schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, ‘Ujjwala Yojana’, and ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’ as pillars of women’s empowerment since 2014. He urged the large gathering of women to give a fitting reply to dynastic parties in the upcoming elections.

The BJP and opposition parties have sparred over the Bill that sought to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816. When put to a vote, the Bill failed to secure the required majority in the Lok Sabha last week.

While the BJP has blamed the opposition for stalling women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, the opposition has maintained that it was only against the delimitation bill. (PTI)

US announces preliminary anti-dumping duty on solar cells from India

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April 25, 2026

NEW DELHI, Apr 24 : The US Department of Commerce has announced preliminary anti-dumping duty on imports of solar cells and panels from India.

“…consistent with our practice, we preliminarily assign the dumping margin alleged in the Petition, which is 123.04 per cent, to all other producers and exporters in this investigation,” according to the department.

It has been alleged that solar cells from India are being sold in the US below the fair value.

The department’s notice lists four Indian manufacturers – Mundra Solar PV, Mundra Solar Energy, Kowa Company, and Premier Energy Photovoltaic.

Their estimated weighted average dumping margin has been calculated at 123.07 per cent.

The department has stated that it will issue the final determination within 75 days after the date of its preliminary determination.

“Commerce preliminarily finds that critical circumstances exist for Mundra Solar Energy, Mundra Solar PV, Kowa, and Premier Energies, and that critical circumstances do not exist for all other exporters and producers of the subject merchandise,” it added.

Other than India, Laos and Indonesia have also been subject to similar probes into the dumping of solar cells and modules. (PTI)

KCPS student wins Round Square King Constantine Int’l Award

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April 25, 2026

Dignitaries presenting award to Mrinmay Mehta during a programme.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: Mrinmay Mehta, a Class 12 student of KC Public School, has been conferred with the prestigious Round Square King Constantine International Award for the year 2025-26. The honour was presented during a simple yet impressive programme held at the school.
The award is bestowed upon students from Round Square institutions who demonstrate exceptional commitment to its core ideals-Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service.
As the only Round Square member school in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, KC Public School continues to uphold its ethos of fostering value-based, holistic education. Mrinmay’s journey from local initiatives to global recognition reflects the institution’s vision of nurturing socially responsible global citizens.
Her association with Round Square began in 2019 at a regional conference hosted by Punjab Public School Nabha. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she showcased remarkable leadership by spearheading charity initiatives and actively participating in virtual national and international summits.
Her exposure expanded further at the Round Square International Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by Brookhouse School. She later served as President of the school’s Round Square International Sports Collaboration programme, successfully managing global events. Chairman Raju Chowdhary, Managing Director Arti Chowdhary, Principal AK Mishra and Vice Principal Jaskirat Sekhon lauded Mrinmay for her exemplary devotion to the ideals of the Round Square and wished her greater success in her endeavours as a future leader.